Lauren Sewell's Star's Rising

They have talked about her on the Internet, marveled at her 70 mph fastball and composure for someone just 15 years old. Now, all Lauren Sewell has to do is keep improving as a pitcher.

Just a sophomore at Pines Charter High School, Sewell knows all about pressure. During the recent (Oct. 27-29) Rising Stars Showcase at Bamford Park in Davie, this talented athlete had the opportunity to play for one of the best programs around.

Playing for the Gold Coast Hurricane Gold team, coached by American Heritage's Marty Cooper and St. Thomas University's Jeff Norman, had Sewell facing elite national teams.

Her first assignment for the Hurricane Gold, featuring Shayla Jackson (Pines Charter) and University of Florida-bound Stephanie Brombacher and Tiffany Defelice (American Heritage), was against the Virginia Shamrocks.

The Shamrocks, who had lost 3-2 to the Hurricanes the previous week in New Jersey, got revenge and Sewell lasted just two innings.

"That was a great team Lauren was facing," Norman said. "Believe me, there will be much better days for her. This is one of those players who is far ahead of anyone else her age."

Norman predicts that Sewell will be one of the top pitching prospects nationally over the next few years.

"Her composure and pitch selection has given her the opportunity to play this game at a high level," Norman said. "As she continues to face elite players, she will only get better."

Sewell said she gained an advantage by watching and learning as a member of the Hurricanes.

"This is a great honor for me to be a part of this program," Sewell said. "It has given me the chance to play elite teams and have a coaching staff that knows what it takes to get to that next level."

Although her high school team fell short of reaching the state finals last spring, her experience this fall and winter can only benefit the Jaguars during the high school season.

"Lauren is one of those players where you look at [her] and project how good she will be," Cooper said. "We knew that being around our coaches, players and competing against the teams we play during the course of a season would only help her become a better player."